SCRIPTURE: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:

1. Paul’s words reveal that his ultimate confidence is in the Lord, and not in people. He knows that the devil is strong, and that people can be very hurtful. But he also knows that his hope for success and survival is not his own wits or luck, but his dependence on God. Therefore… PRAY!
2. The most important thing is not Paul’s survival, but the success of his mission, that the message of the Lord would spread rapidly. Do we see the spreading of the message as the top priority in our own lives? When Paul prays for protection, its not just because he doesn’t want to die, but because of his sense of urgency for getting the message out.
3. The Lord is faithful, if He calls us to be His missionaries, He will also accomplish His purpose through us. We demonstrate our cooperation in this mission by (a) making ourselves available to the Lord for speaking and serving in His name, and by (b) praying for others, that the Lord would also direct them in fulfilling His purpose. God’s mission does not depend on our faithfulness (we will fail many times), but on God’s. But it does require our determination and perseverance towards being faithful. We must try our best, trusting in His blessing.
4. Its neat to reflect on how the Lord protects us from the evil one. Every day the enemy is attempting to distract or deceive or discourage us, and he has amazing success. But if we are sincere in seeking the right path, and serious about staying true to the Lord, then we will always find the “way out” that He provides in every test and temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).
5. I have gone through many times of testing and temptation, and my track record is not great. But as I read these words of Paul, I realize that I have not been clinging to the Lord in these tests. Paul reveals the desperate grip of faith (like sitting on a roller coaster, clinging to the bar that holds us in), refusing to let the twists and turns of life’s challenges separate us from the Lord, our only hope and confidence. In reality, I’ve been hold the bar lightly, and even letting go.

PRAYER:
Lord, We are fools to think we can make it through each day, let alone our whole life, without desperately clinging to You, sticking close to You as we seek to live and serve in Your name. Help me hang on to You for dear life!